Ball game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A ball game apparatus ( 10 ) for use in assisting the development of a user&#39;s ball-handling skills. The apparatus includes a body ( 100 ) having a base ( 114 ), a forward portion ( 106 ), a rearward portion ( 108 ), and two opposed sides ( 110, 112 ). The forward portion ( 106 ) includes a recessed target zone ( 116 ) having a depth (D) and being at least in part concave along the depth.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 (a) of Australian Application No. 2007201797, filed Apr. 23, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates a skill training device for use in assisting the development of a user's ball-handling skills for ball games.

This invention has particular but not exclusive application to ball game apparatus for targeting by a thrower for a challenging rebound, and for illustrative purposes reference will be made to such application. However, it is to be understood that this invention could be used in other applications, such as a throwing target generally or targeting by a thrower and defending by a batter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ball throwing games involving a target, including bat-and-ball games, take a plethora of forms each requiring its own specialized apparatus. Cricket involves a target in the form of three stumps adapted to be driven into the ground and bridged by two bails. The stumps are defended by a batsman obliged to hit the ball to prevent the ball from hitting the target. Simplified forms use an integral stump set on a self supporting base, usually formed of metal pipe to provide inertial stability. Yet simpler, the target may be painted on a wall or any object that can be pressed into service such as rubbish bins. Other target games may dispense with the batter, such as target versions of handball.

When target ball games are played against a wall or other substantially planar target, for the most part the rebound is substantially an equal-angle reflection of the incident throw which, over time and with acquired skill, becomes monotonous. In addition, a vertical wall will return the ball with less energy than it had out of the thrower's hand. Accordingly the ball will invariably fall short of the thrower on the rebound unless the ball is still climbing as it impacts the wall.

Conventional inclined trampoline devices suffer from being tedious to set up and transport as well as providing a less than satisfactory rebound to a user.

The present invention seeks to lessen these problems by providing an apparatus which allows more accurate or challenging rebounding while being generally easy to transport and assemble when portable.

SUMMARY

The present invention in one preferred aspect provides for a ball game apparatus for use in assisting the development of a user's ball-handling skills. The apparatus includes a body having a base, a forward portion, a rearward portion, and two opposed sides. The forward portion includes a recessed target zone having a depth and being at least in part concave along the depth.

The present invention in another preferred aspect provides for a method of manufacturing the ball game apparatus includes forming a thermoplastic material into a body having the base, forward portion and rearward portion, the forward portion including a recessed target zone having a depth and being at least in part concave along the depth; and allowing the formed body to set.

The present invention in another preferred aspect provides for an apparatus including a target body supported in a selected position relative to a thrower and having a target zone at which a player may throw a projectile and including a concave rebound surface portion, the target zone being inclined generally upward and away from the thrower.

The target body may be a solid body or a hollow body. The target body may be a fixed body or a movable body. A movable body may include a stabilizing supporting base such a flat metal bars or a base plate.

The target body may be provided with means to secure the body to the ground or other surface. The securing means may include complementary engagement means on the body and a floor or the like. The securing means may include ground engaging stakes or the like. Where these are used they are preferably located through apertures in supporting portions located behind the target body from the point of view of the thrower.

The securing means may include friction and inertia. In the case of a hollow body, the body may be adapted to be filled by a massive liquid or flowable solid material, typically water or sand, to provide the body with sufficient inertia.

The target body may be formed of any suitable material including but not limited to wood, metal, concrete, and synthetic polymer such as thermoplastic or thermoset laminates or mouldings. A hollow thermoplastic body may advantageously be formed of a rotomoulded or injection molded thermoplastic such as a polyolefin. The polyolefin may be selected from polymers of ethylene and propylene, copolymers these monomers and/or these monomers with other monomers.

The material may be resistant to impact so it can be used with hard balls. For example, the target body may be moulded from the composite which includes polyaramid reinforcing (such as KEVLAR®) in a high impact resin matrix such as epoxy or vinyl ester.

The target zone is inclined upward and away from the thrower to overcome the inherent issue of the average return bounce being short of the thrower due to the drag and rebound losses to the energy of the thrown ball. To this end the target zone may be described in a plane that is inclined upward and away from the thrower. It has been determined that a general angle of inclination of about 15° from the vertical is sufficient for balls of the approximate bounce of a tennis ball and/or rubber ball, or inflated ball such as a soccer ball or football. The inclination of the surface also means that the target body may be tapered from a wide base to a narrow top, resulting in a low centre of gravity and thus more stability for a given mass.

In the case where the concave rebound surface portion approximates a parabolic or other compound-curved surface of rotation such as a part sphere, the inclined plane may be substantially perpendicular to the parabolic or spherical axis. The target zone may be substantially symmetric about a vertical plane including a line between the thrower and the target zone. The concave portion may include a single concave annulus or may include more than one portion with respective difference concavities. Alternatively, the second annulus may be a partial conical or other simple curved surface, rather than a compound one.

The target zone may include a plane portion apart from the concave portion to provide for a “straight back” bounce zone that is larger than the apical region of a pure spherical or parabolic surface. Where a plane surface is used, this is preferably arranged at or about the inclination of the general inclination of the target zone. The plane surface may be located within an annulus formed by the concave surface portion. A plane surface may in addition be provided about the annulus of the concave portion. The concave surface portion assists with accuracy, reflex and hand-eye co-ordination. The flat surface through the middle of the concave surface allows for a larger direct hit zone and straight back rebound.

The concave portion is preferably configured to have a rim transitioning steeply into the body. Outward of the rim the target body may be flat and substantially parallel to the generally inclined plane. Alternatively, the shape of the target body may fall away from the rim to provide a difficult or impossible return bounce as a penalty for missing the target. A deep transition into the concave area from the outer rim may allow a rim edge hit to rebound into the other side of the concave portion then bounce back to the user. The deep concave surface running to an inner flat section also makes the rebound angle much more acute allowing for multiple users.

As the apparatus in one preferred embodiment uses an obverse target zone toward the user, there may be provided a usable reverse, which may be the same or different. In one embodiment the reverse is provided with a vertical, substantially planar target zone providing a facsimile of cricket stumps. This embodiment includes near-miss zones either side of the stumps and includes a surface curving away from the respective stump and a series of horizontal, spaced “chance bars” which may, if the bowler is lucky, put up a rebound as a catch.

The usable back section may include interchangeable snap-in elements to alter the nature of the target by insertion of other sport-specific moulds if so desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ball game apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the ball game apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the ball game apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the ball game apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the ball game apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a ball game apparatus in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a ball game apparatus in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the ball game apparatus of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the claims which follow. Wherever possible, like numbers will refer to like parts.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a preferred embodiment of a ball game apparatus or ball rebounder 10 having a body 100 with a top 102, bottom 104, forward portion 106, rearward portion 108, opposed sides 110, 112 and a base 114. It will be appreciated that body 100 may have more than two sides without departing from the scope of the present invention. Further, forward and rearward portions 106, 108 may intersect to form sides if desired. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, forward portion 106 preferably includes a recessed target zone 116 having a depth (D). Target zone 116 preferably includes a plurality of annular portions having a differing degree of curvature along the depth and relative to one another. As shown in FIG. 5, target zone 116 has a first or rim annulus 118, a second annulus 120 that preferably includes a parabolic curvature and a third annulus 122 that preferably provides a transition to a central portion 124. Central portion 124 is preferably planar. Preferred angles of curvature for the annular portions are described below.

It will be appreciated that the annular portions may have the same degree of curvature if desired. Additionally, central portion 124 may be curved and have a curvature similar to that of any of the other annular portions. It is preferred that central portion 124 is planar to provide for a “straight back” bounce zone that is larger than the apical region of a pure spherical or parabolic surface. The flat surface through the middle of the concave surface allows for a larger direct hit zone and straight back rebound.

As shown in FIG. 4, bottom 104 preferably includes a hollow portion 126. Hollow portion 126 may be configured to permit body 100 to be mounted upon a stand of a predetermined height suitable for a given ball game, such as baseball. Alternatively, bottom 104 need not include a hollow portion. Body 100 may be made integral with a stand for use in games where the target zone is normally a greater height off the ground, for example, at or above the waist in games such as American foot ball or baseball.

Bottom 104 may include a closeable inlet leading into a chamber (not shown). The chamber may be filled with a fluid such as water or a solid such as sand to provide additional weight and stability to body 100. Alternatively, the chamber may be airtight so that body 100 may be used in the water or in a pool for practice for games such as water polo.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, forward portion 106 is preferably inclined at 15° from the central vertical axis (CVA) away from the front edge of base 114.

Target zone 116 has a mid-longitudinal axis (MLA) along its depth. Preferably, rim annulus 118 is at about 45° to the mid-longitudinal axis, which provides a sharp transition from the flat, outlaying lower portion 128 of forward portion 106 as shown in FIG. 1. Generally parabolic annulus 120 preferably provides the major part of the target zone area. The inclination of the parabolic axis means that the tangent to the inner edge of the parabolic annulus 120 varies from about ±45° at the bottom edge to −85° to the horizontal at the top edge. An inner part of the third annulus or conical transition zone annulus 122 effects a transition to the planar central portion 124 disposed at preferably the same 15° angle as the planar lower portion 128 of forward portion 106.

Planar portion 128 is bounded on its two side edges by a boundary flat which is angled out and continues about the upper circular part of body 100. The boundary flat extends to respective shoulders of base 114 before tapering out.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a rear view of a ball apparatus 20 is shown in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Ball apparatus 20 is similar to ball apparatus 10 except that rearward portion 208 preferably includes a plurality of ribs 230. The ribs may include horizontal ribs 232 and/or vertical ribs 234. The ribs may form a configuration recognisable in sports, such as a cricket wicket profile 236 shown in FIG. 6.

Profile 236 may be adapted to be separable and to clip in to a recess in the surface of rearward portion 208 bounded by left and right vertically-curved surfaces. Horizontal ribs 232 provide for unpredictability on the bounce to approximate a batting stroke where the game is played without a batsman. Another advantage of ribs 232 is that they contribute to providing extra strength to the concave surface of the target zone on the forward portion.

Other configurations are envisaged within the broad scope of the present invention. For example, the shape of a catcher's mitt may be imprinted upon the rear of the body. The sports configurations may be detachable if desired so that the rear of the ball apparatus may be used in a wider variety of games. It will be appreciated that the ribs may be configured in different patterns to provide for enhanced strength and rebounding rather without any reference to a sports symbol.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a ball apparatus 30 is shown in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. Apparatus 30 is similar to apparatus 10 except that substantially the entire forward portion 306 is the target zone and rearward portion 308 includes a curvature generally the same as the curvature of forward portion 306. Apparatus 30 has a base 314 with preferably two legs 338, 340. Each of legs 338, 340 preferably include a securing means 342 such as tabs for use with fasteners such as screws, nails or stakes.

Base 314 may be adapted to be detachable from rearward portion 308 or may be integral thereto as desired. A detachable base is advantageous for permitting the ball apparatus to be configured for different sports without requiring an entirely different body. For example, a forward portion configured for cricket may be replaced by a forward portion configured for football using a common base. The ball apparatus may include a set of bases having different angles upon which the forward portion may be set. This permits a thrower to adjust the angle of the rebounder according to a desired pitching distance. Alternatively, the base may include an adjustment mechanism to vary the angle of the target zone relative to the central vertical axis of the body. Such an adjustment mechanism may take a number of forms as would be recognised by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring to FIG. 7, the plane including the outer rim 344 of the dish-like body 300 is preferably inclined at 15° from the vertical away from the thrower.

Centered on an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of outer rim 344 is a target zone 316 including a rim annulus 318 at about 45° to the axis. Within the rim annulus 318 is a generally parabolic annulus 320 which provides the major part of the target zone area. The inclination of the parabolic axis means that the tangent to the inner edge of the parabolic annulus 320 varies from about ±45° at the bottom edge to −85° to the horizontal at the top edge. An inner part conical transition zone annulus 322 effects a transition to a planar central portion 324 disposed at preferably the same 15° angle as the plane including the outer rim 344.

Having described the preferred components of the ball apparatus, a preferred method of manufacture will now be described with reference to FIG. 1. One preferred method of manufacturing the ball game apparatus includes forming a thermoplastic material into a body 100 having the base 114, forward portion 106 and rearward portion 108, the forward portion including a recessed target zone 116 having a depth and being at least in part concave along the depth; and allowing the formed body to set. The step of forming may include using a polyolefin. The step of forming may include injection molding the thermoplastic into a mold, or rotomolding the thermoplastic. As will be appreciated, when forming the body, the mold may be configured to include any of the features of the apparatus described above.

It will be appreciated that the steps described above may be performed in a different order, varied, or omitted entirely without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The foregoing description is by way of example only, and may be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example only, the shape of the target zone may be configured for use with the sport of intended use. By way of example, the target zone may have an oblong depth suitable for use with American footballs. Semi-spherical target zone (with or without a flat central portion) may be sized for use with a cricket ball or baseball. The apparatus may be coloured or lighted to enhance the target zone. The apparatus may include an electronic component to emit sound when the ball hits a designated sub-zone within the target zone, and/or measure the speed of the ball contacting the apparatus.

The target zone and base may be integral or separable for use in a kit with target zones configured for particular sports.

The apparatus may be constructed from any suitable material including but not limited to wood, metal, concrete, and synthetic polymer such as thermoplastic or thermoset laminates or mouldings. A hollow thermoplastic body may advantageously be formed of a rotomoulded or injection molded thermoplastic such as a polyolefin. The polyolefin may be selected from polymers of ethylene and propylene, copolymers these monomers and/or these monomers with other monomers. The material may be resistant to impact so it can be used with hard balls. For example, the target body may be moulded from the composite which includes polyaramid reinforcing (such as KEVLAR®) in a high impact resin matrix such as epoxy or vinyl ester.

The present invention may be used in a variety of sports such as, but not limited to cricket, baseball, American football, soccer (or football) and/or water polo.

The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, or combined with or interchanged with the features other embodiments, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention in a preferred form provides the advantages of ease of transport, ease of assembly, durability, and improved ball return, just to name a few.

It will of course be realised that while the above has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. 

1-23. (canceled)
 24. A ball game apparatus for use in assisting the development of a user's ball-handling skills, the apparatus comprising a body having a base, a forward portion, a rearward portion, and two opposed sides, said forward portion including a recessed target zone, said target zone having a depth and being at least in part concave along the depth, said base being detachable from said target zone.
 25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body includes a hollow portion.
 26. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said hollow portion is closeable to contain a fluid therein.
 27. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said hollow portion is airtight.
 28. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a member adapted to secure said body to a surface.
 29. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said member is adapted to secure said base to the ground.
 30. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said target zone is inclined relative to a central vertical axis of said body.
 31. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is substantially made of a thermoplastic material.
 32. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said target zone includes a generally planar central portion.
 33. A ball game apparatus for use in assisting the development of a user's ball-handling skills, the apparatus comprising a body having a base, a forward portion, a rearward portion, and two opposed sides, said forward portion including a recessed target zone, said rearward portion including means for attaching a target element.
 34. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said body includes a hollow portion.
 35. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said hollow portion is closeable to contain a fluid therein.
 36. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said hollow portion is airtight.
 37. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a member adapted to secure said body to a surface.
 38. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said member is adapted to secure said base to the ground.
 39. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said target zone is inclined relative to a central vertical axis of said body.
 40. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said apparatus is substantially made of a thermoplastic material.
 41. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said target zone includes a generally planar central portion.
 42. A method of manufacturing a ball game apparatus for use in assisting the development of a user's ball-handling skills, the method comprising: forming a thermoplastic material into a body having a base, a forward portion and a rearward portion, the forward portion including a recessed target zone having a depth and being at least in part concave along the depth; and allowing the formed body to set.
 43. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of forming includes rotomolding the thermoplastic. 